2. Algebra Rules:
When solving for unknown quantities, always assign the
variable to the smallest quantity. (Smallest may be lightest,
least expensive, shortest, etc. depending on the type of value.
Bob weighs 10 more pounds than Mike. Don weighs 15
more pounds than Bob. The sum of their weight is 440
pounds. How much does each weigh?
Who weighs the least? We’ll use ‘m’ as the variable.
Now, the key part of our solution: For the other two, what
are their weights relative to Mike’s weight?
Bob is... m + 10 Don is... m + 10(Bob) + 15, or m + 25
Putting them all together, we have... m + (m + 10) + (m + 25) = 440
3m + 35 = 440 3m = 405 Mike = 135, Bob = 145, Don = 160
3. 1. Coefficient:
2. Like Terms:
Vocabulary:
In algebraic expressions & equations, like terms are terms
that contain the same variables raised to the same power.
Only the coefficients of like terms can be different.
Examples include: 7x x -2x (1/3)xy2 -2y2x 6xy2
4. Vocabulary:
Write the expression or equation. Then, identify the
number of: a) terms What are the: b) like terms, c)
coefficients, & d) constants
1. 3 + 7x + 3x + x No. of Terms?
Like Terms?
Coefficients?
Constants?
2. 2a + 5c – a + 6a 3. 7x – 3y + 3z - 2
Are these expressions or equations?
5. Formulas:
1. Perimeter of a Square: 2. Area of a Square:
3. Perimeter of a Triangle:
= Side + Side+ Side
4. Area of a Triangle:
= ½ base x height
or, ½ (base x height)
P = 4S
The area of a square is actually the
same as the area of a rectangle: LxW
However, since the lengths of the sides are the
same, you are multiplying a number by itself.
So, the formula for the area of a square is:
A S2
6. Warm-Up:
1. Translate & Solve:
The difference between a number and four.
The sum of three times a number and eight.
Four less than the product of four and a number is nine.
The quotient of a number and eight is one and five-tenths.
Three times the quantity of a number decreased by three is nine.
2. Simplify the Expression:
a2 + a + a2
2x + 3y – 5x + 2y 5(a – 2b) – 3(a – 2b)
11. Test #1 Topics:
1. Simplifying Expressions
--Key Concept: Combining Like Terms
2. Solving Simple Equations (1 or 2 step)
--Key Concepts:
a.) Variable replaced by value which make the
sentence true.
b.) Isolate the variable (get the variable by itself) on
one side of the equation by correctly using the rules.
3. Translating Sentences into Expressions or Equations
--Key Concepts: sum, difference, product, quotient, less
than, the quantity of.
